A data processing device, such as a facsimile machine or a printer, sends setting information necessary for processing data to a storage device for a back-up purpose, etc., and the storage device stores the setting information of the data processing device. The storage device classifies the data processing device according to whether or not the data processing device has a data protection function for protecting data to be processed, and stores the setting information in association with a type in which the data processing device is classified. When sending the setting information to a data processing device, the storage device sends the setting information corresponding to the type in which the data processing device as a recipient is classified.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A data processing system comprising: a plurality of data processing devices; and a storage device to which said plurality of data processing devices are connected, wherein the data processing device comprises: setting information storage means for storing setting information necessary for processing data; and means for sending the setting information stored in the setting information storage means to the storage device, and the storage device comprises: classification storage means for storing the setting information sent from the data processing device in association with a classification group in which the data processing device which sent the setting information is classified according to a predetermined condition; means for receiving a transmission request to send the setting information stored in said classification storage means to one data processing device; means for recognizing a predetermined condition in said one data processing device when said means receives the transmission request; means for selecting a setting information to be sent from the setting information stored in said classification storage means on the basis of the recognized predetermined condition in said one data processing device, and sending the selected setting information to said one data processing device; means for receiving, from an external data processing device, protection function information showing strength of a data protection function for protecting data to be processed by the data processing device; means for classifying the external data processing device according to the strength of the data protection function as the predetermined condition, based on the protection function information received by said means; means for receiving, from an external data processing device, encrypted setting information produced by encrypting setting information necessary for processing data in the data processing device; means for storing the encrypted setting information received by said means; means for sending the encrypted setting information stored in said means to the data processing device which sent the encrypted setting information; and means for prohibiting the encrypted setting information from being sent to a data processing device other than the data processing device which sent the encrypted setting information.
2. The data processing system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined condition is whether or not said one data processing device has a data protection function for protecting data to be processed.
3. A data processing system comprising: a plurality of data processing devices; and a storage device to which said plurality of data processing devices are connected, wherein the data processing device comprises: a setting information storage unit for storing setting information necessary for processing data; and a transmission unit for sending the setting information stored in the setting information storage unit to the storage device, and the storage device comprises: a classification storage unit for storing the setting information sent from the data processing device in association with a classification group in which the data processing device which sent the setting information is classified according to a predetermined condition; a processor capable of performing the following operations, (i) receiving a transmission request to send the setting information stored in the classification storage unit to one data processing device, and (ii) recognizing a predetermined condition in said one data processing device when the transmission request is received; a transmission unit for selecting a setting information to be sent from the setting information stored in the classification storage unit on the basis of the recognized predetermined condition in said one data processing device, and sending the selected information to said one data processing device; means for receiving, from an external data processing device, protection function information showing strength of a data protection function for protecting data to be processed by the data processing device; means for classifying the external data processing device according to the strength of the data protection function as the predetermined condition, based on the protection function information received by said means; means for receiving, from an external data processing device, encrypted setting information produced by encrypting setting information necessary for processing data in the data processing device; means for storing the encrypted setting information received by said means; means for sending the encrypted setting information stored in said means to the data processing device which sent the encrypted setting information; and means for prohibiting the encrypted setting information from being sent to a data processing device other than the data processing device which sent the encrypted setting information.
4. The data processing system of claim 3 , wherein the predetermined condition is whether or not said one data processing device has a data protection function for protecting data to be processed.
5. A storage device comprising: receiving means for receiving, from an external data processing device, setting information necessary for processing data in the data processing device; classification storage means for storing the setting information received by the receiving means in association with a classification group in which the data processing device which sent the setting information is classified according to a predetermined condition; means for receiving a transmission request to send the setting information stored in said classification storage means to an external data processing device; means for recognizing a predetermined condition in the external data processing device when said means receives the transmission request; means for selecting a setting information to be sent from the setting information stored in said classification storage means on the basis of the recognized predetermined condition in the external data processing device, and sending the selected setting information to said external data processing device; means for receiving, from an external data processing device, protection function information showing strength of a data protection function for protecting data to be processed by the data processing device; means for classifying the external data processing device according to the strength of the data protection function as the predetermined condition, based on the protection function information received by said means; means for receiving, from an external data processing device, encrypted setting information produced by encrypting setting information necessary for processing data in the data processing device; means for storing the encrypted setting information received by said means; means for sending the encrypted setting information stored in said means to the data processing device which sent the encrypted setting information; and means for prohibiting the encrypted setting information from being sent to a data processing device other than the data processing device which sent the encrypted setting information.
6. The storage device of claim 5 , further comprising: means for receiving, from an external data processing device, protection function information showing whether or not the data processing device has a data protection function for protecting data to be processed; and means for classifying the external data processing device according to the presence or absence of the data protection function as the predetermined condition, based on the protection function information received by said means.
7. A storage device comprising: a receiving unit for receiving, from an external data processing device, setting information necessary for processing data in the data processing device; a classification storage unit for storing the setting information received by the receiving unit in association with a classification group in which the data processing device which sent the setting information is classified according to a predetermined condition; a receiving unit for receiving, from an external data processing device, protection function information showing strength of a data protection function for protecting data to be processed by the data processing device, wherein said processor is capable of performing the following operation, classifying the external data processing device according to the strength of the data protection function as the predetermined condition, based on the received protection function information; a receiving unit for receiving, from an external data processing device, encrypted setting information produced by encrypting setting information necessary for processing data in the data processing device; a storage unit for storing the received encrypted setting information; and a transmission unit for sending the stored encrypted setting information to the data processing device which sent the encrypted setting information, wherein said processor is capable of performing the following operation, prohibiting the encrypted setting information from being sent to a data processing device other than the data processing device which sent the encrypted setting information; a processor capable of performing the following operations, (i) receiving a transmission request to send the setting information stored in the classification storage unit to an external data processing device, and (ii) recognizing a predetermined condition in the external data processing device when the transmission request is received; and a transmission unit for selecting a setting information to be send from the setting information stored in the classification storage unit on the basis of the recognized predetermined condition in the external data processing device, and sending the selected setting information to said external data processing device.
8. The storage device of claim 7 , further comprising: a receiving unit for receiving, from an external data processing device, protection function information showing whether or not the data processing device has a data protection function for protecting data to be processed, wherein said processor is capable of performing the following operation, (iii) classifying the external data processing device according to the presence or absence of the data protection function as the predetermined condition, based on the received protection function information.
9. A memory product storing a computer program for causing a computer to store setting information received from an external data processing device and necessary for processing data in the data processing device, said computer program comprising the steps of: causing the computer to store the received setting information in association with a classification group in which the data processing device which sent the setting information is classified according to a predetermined condition; causing the computer to classify the external data processing device according to the predetermined condition when a transmission request to send the stored setting information to an external data processing device is received; and causing the computer to select, as the setting information to be sent to the external data processing device, the setting information stored in association with a classification group in which the external data processing device is classified; receiving, from an external data processing device, protection function information showing strength of a data protection function for protecting data to be processed by the data processing device, wherein said processor performs the following operation, classifying the external data processing device according to the strength of the data protection function as the predetermined condition, based on the received protection function information; receiving, from an external data processing device, encrypted setting information produced by encrypting setting information necessary for processing data in the data processing device; storing the received encrypted setting information; and sending the stored encrypted setting information to the data processing device which sent the encrypted setting information, wherein said processor is capable of performing the following operation, prohibiting the encrypted setting information from being sent to a data processing device other than the data processing device which sent the encrypted setting information.
10. The memory product of claim 9 , wherein the predetermined condition is whether or not the external data processing device has a data protection function for protecting data to be processed.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
February 22, 2005
March 31, 2009
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